Head Protection Assembly

ABSTRACT

A head protection assembly for protecting a user from head injury includes a cap that is comprised of a deformable material such that the cap can be worn beneath a helmet on a user&#39;s head. The cap is comprised of a resiliently compressible material to protect the user&#39;s head from impact injury. Additionally, the cap includes a flap that is positionable in a deployed position having the flap extending downwardly from the cap. In this way the flap can extend downwardly along the back of the user&#39;s neck. Moreover, the flap is positionable in a stored position having the flap resting against the cap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to protection devices and more particularly pertains to a new protection device for protecting a user from head injury. The device includes a cap that can be worn on a user's head and a flap that can be positioned to cover a back of the user's neck.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to protection devices including a shock absorbing helmet that is comprised of a shock absorbing foam. The prior art discloses a cushion insert that is insertable into a baseball cap for enhancing impact protection. The prior art discloses a stretchable cap that includes foam pads and which is wearable beneath a helmet for increasing head protection. The prior art also discloses a cushion that is integrated into a helmet for enhancing impact protection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a cap that is comprised of a deformable material such that the cap can be worn beneath a helmet on a user's head. The cap is comprised of a resiliently compressible material to protect the user's head from impact injury. Additionally, the cap includes a flap that is positionable in a deployed position having the flap extending downwardly from the cap. In this way the flap can extend downwardly along the back of the user's neck. Moreover, the flap is positionable in a stored position having the flap resting against the cap.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a head protection assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a left side phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure showing a jacket.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure showing a head band.

FIG. 7 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof, a new cushion device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the head protection assembly 10 generally comprises a cap 12 is comprised of a deformable thereby facilitating the cap 12 to be worn beneath a helmet on a user's head 13. Additionally, the cap 12 can be worn without a helmet. The helmet may be a football helmet, a hockey helmet or any other helmet worn for athletic activities. The cap 12 is comprised of a resiliently compressible material to protect the user's head 13 from impact injury. In this way the cap 12 enhances head injury protection afforded by the helmet. The cap 12 includes a flap 14 that is positionable in a deployed position having the flap 14 extending downwardly from the cap 12. In this way the flap 14 can extend downwardly along the back of the user's neck 15 to protect the back of the user's neck 15 from impact energy. Additionally, the flap 14 is positionable in a stored position. The cap 12 facilitates enhances protection for the frontal and temporal lobes of the human brain, which are sites of most brain injuries from impact.

The cap 12 includes an inner layer 16 that is comprised of a moisture wicking material to wick perspiration from the user's head 13. The inner layer 16 may comprise cotton, nylon or other type of moisture wicking textile. The cap 12 includes an outer layer 18 that is comprised of an air permeable material to facilitate air to pass therethrough thereby facilitating air exchange with the user's head 13 and ambient air. The outer layer 18 may comprise spandex or other type of air permeable textile. Additionally, the cap 12 comprises a middle layer 20 that is positioned between the inner layer 16 and the outer layer 18. The middle layer 20 comprises a plurality of interlocking cells 22 and each of the interlocking cells 22 is comprised of a resiliently compressible material. In this way the middle layer 20 can absorb impact energy from the helmet. The resiliently compressible material may comprise polyethylene foam or the like.

The cap 12 has a bottom edge 24 that is continuously arcuate such that the bottom edge 24 defines a circular opening into the cap 12. Thus, the bottom edge 24 encircles the user's head 13 when the cap 12 is worn. An elastomeric band 26 is coupled to the cap 12 and the elastomeric band 26 is aligned with the bottom edge 24 of the cap 12. In this way the elastomeric band 26 is configured to compress the bottom edge 24 around the user's head 13 to retain the cap 12 on the user's head 13.

A first mating member 28 is coupled to an outer surface of the outer layer 18 of the cap 12. The first mating member 28 is positioned between the bottom edge 24 of the cap 12 and an apex 30 of the cap 12. A second mating member 32 is coupled to an outer surface of the flap 14 and the second mating member 32 is positioned adjacent to a lower edge of the flap 14. The second mating member 32 is matable to the first mating member 28 for retaining the flap 14 in the stored position having the flap 14 resting against the cap 12. Additionally, the second mating member 32 is releasable from the first mating member 28 to facilitate the flap 14 to be positioned in the deployed position. Each of the first mating member 28 and the second mating member 32 may comprise a hook and loop fastener or the like.

In an alternative embodiment 34 as is most clearly shown in FIG. 6, a head band 36 is provided that can be worn around a user's head 13 beneath a helmet. The head band 36 comprises an outer layer 38, a middle layer 40 and an inner layer 42. The inner layer 42 of the head band 36 is comprised of a moisture wicking material to wick perspiration away from the user's head 13. The outer layer 38 of the head band 36 is comprised of an air permeable material to pass air therethrough. Additionally, the middle layer 40 of the head band 36 comprises a plurality of interlocking cells 43. Each of the interlocking cells 43 in the head band 36 is comprised of a resiliently compressible material to absorb impact energy from the helmet. In this way the head band 36 protects the back of the user's head and the front of the user's head from impact energy.

In an alternative embodiment 44 as is most clearly shown in FIG. 5, a jacket 46 is provided that can be worn on a user. The jacket 46 includes a hood 48 that is integrated into the jacket 46 such that the hood 48 can be worn over the user's head 13. The hood 48 comprises an outer layer 50, a middle layer 52 and an inner layer 54. The inner layer 54 of the hood 48 is comprised of a moisture wicking material to wick perspiration away from the user's head 13. The outer layer 50 of the hood 48 is comprised of an air permeable material to pass air therethrough. Additionally, the middle layer 52 of the hood 48 comprises a plurality of interlocking cells 56. Each of the interlocking cells 56 is comprised of a resiliently compressible material to absorb impact energy.

In use, that cap 12 is worn beneath the helmet to enhance impact protection for the user. The flap 14 can be positioned in the deployed position to facilitate the back of the user's neck 15 to be protected. In this way the cap 12 and the flap 14 increase the level of impact protection afforded to the user while the user is wearing the helmet. Thus, the cap 12 and the flap 14 reduce the likelihood of a traumatic brain injury or a traumatic spinal injury. Additionally, the cap 12 can be worn without a helmet to facilitate impact protection during leisure activities.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. A head protection assembly for wearing beneath a helmet thereby increasing protection against a head injury, said assembly comprising: a cap being comprised of a deformable material wherein said cap is configured to be worn beneath a helmet on a user's head, said cap being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said cap is configured to protect the user's head from impact injury, said cap including a flap being positionable in a deployed position having said flap extending downwardly from said cap wherein said flap is configured to extend downwardly along the back of the user's neck, said flap being positionable in a stored position having said flap resting against said cap.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said cap comprises an inner layer being comprised of a moisture wicking material wherein said inner layer is configured to wick perspiration from the user's head; and said cap comprises an outer layer being comprised of an air permeable material wherein said outer layer is configured to facilitate air to pass therethrough thereby facilitating air exchange with the user's head and ambient air.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said cap comprises a middle layer being positioned between said inner layer and said outer layer, said middle layer comprising a plurality of interlocking cells, each of said interlocking cells being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said middle layer is configured to absorb impact energy from the helmet.
 4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said cap has a bottom edge being continuously arcuate such that said bottom edge defines a circular opening into said cap wherein said bottom edge is configured to encircle the user's head when said cap is worn.
 5. The assembly according to claim 4, further comprising an elastomeric band being coupled to said cap, said elastomeric band being aligned with said bottom edge of said cap wherein said elastomeric band is configured to compress said bottom edge around the user's head to retain said cap on the user's head.
 6. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a first mating member being coupled to an outer surface of said outer layer of said cap, said first mating member being positioned between said bottom edge of said cap and an apex of said cap.
 7. The assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a second mating member being coupled to an outer surface of said flap, said second mating member being positioned adjacent to a lower edge of said flap, said second mating member being matable to said first mating member for retaining said flap in said stored position having said flap resting against said cap, said second mating member being releasable from said first mating member to facilitate said flap to be positioned in said deployed position.
 8. A head protection assembly for wearing beneath a helmet thereby increasing protection against a head injury, said assembly comprising: a cap being comprised of a deformable material wherein said cap is configured to be worn beneath a helmet on a user's head, said cap being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said cap is configured to protect the user's head from impact injury, said cap including a flap being positionable in a deployed position having said flap extending downwardly from said cap wherein said flap is configured to extend downwardly along the back of the user's neck, said flap being positionable in a stored position having said flap resting against said cap, said cap comprising an inner layer being comprised of a moisture wicking material wherein said inner layer is configured to wick perspiration from the user's head, said cap comprising an outer layer being comprised of an air permeable material wherein said outer layer is configured to facilitate air to pass therethrough thereby facilitating air exchange with the user's head and ambient air, said cap comprising a middle layer being positioned between said inner layer and said outer layer, said middle layer comprising a plurality of interlocking cells, each of said interlocking cells being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said middle layer is configured to absorb impact energy from the helmet, said cap having a bottom edge being continuously arcuate such that said bottom edge defines a circular opening into said cap wherein said bottom edge is configured to encircle the user's head when said cap is worn; an elastomeric band being coupled to said cap, said elastomeric band being aligned with said bottom edge of said cap wherein said elastomeric band is configured to compress said bottom edge around the user's head to retain said cap on the user's head; a first mating member being coupled to an outer surface of said outer layer of said cap, said first mating member being positioned between said bottom edge of said cap and an apex of said cap; and a second mating member being coupled to an outer surface of said flap, said second mating member being positioned adjacent to a lower edge of said flap, said second mating member being matable to said first mating member for retaining said flap in said stored position having said flap resting against said cap, said second mating member being releasable from said first mating member to facilitate said flap to be positioned in said deployed position.
 9. The assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a head band being configured to be worn around a user's head beneath a helmet, said head band comprising an outer layer, a middle layer and an inner layer, said inner layer of said head band being comprised of a moisture wicking material wherein said inner layer is configured to wick perspiration away from the user's head, said outer layer of said head band being comprised of an air permeable material wherein said outer layer is configured to pass air therethrough, said middle layer of said head band comprising a plurality of interlocking cells, each of said interlocking cells being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said plurality of interlocking cells is configured to absorb impact energy from the helmet.
 10. The assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a jacket being configured to be worn on a user, said jacket including a hood being integrated into said jacket wherein said hood is configured to be worn over the user's head, said hood comprising an outer layer, a middle layer and an inner layer, said inner layer of said hood being comprised of a moisture wicking material wherein said inner layer is configured to wick perspiration away from the user's head, said outer layer of said hood being comprised of an air permeable material wherein said outer layer is configured to pass air therethrough, said middle layer of said hood comprising a plurality of interlocking cells, each of said interlocking cells being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said plurality of interlocking cells is configured to absorb impact energy. 